Workers at a facility in B.C.’s Port of Prince Rupert responsible for testing materials intended for export from various industries have given notice of a strike set to begin on Friday, as reported by their union, the International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 505. The lab and preparation technicians at SGS Minerals, a division of the global testing, inspection, and certification company SGS, voted unanimously in favor of the strike, with the strike notice effective from August 14.
The four employees in Prince Rupert are tasked with testing samples like coal and wood pellets to assist in determining the cargo’s quality and commercial worth before shipment. Keith Cociani, the president of ILWU Local 505, mentioned that a potential strike could result in samples needing to be sent to other SGS facilities across B.C., which could escalate expenses and lead to shipment delays.
Cociani highlighted the significance of the Prince Rupert lab, stating that shutting it down would require samples to be processed in Vancouver or Delta, causing disruptions and increased costs. The workers, who were recognized as an ILWU Local 505 bargaining unit in November 2024, have been striving to secure their initial collective agreement. The current dispute primarily revolves around wage concerns, with the employer’s final offer being rejected unanimously by the workers.
Despite the involvement of the B.C. Labour Relations Board for mediation, the company has not responded to the union’s counter-offer. Cociani emphasized the union’s stance on the negotiations, urging the company to re-engage in discussions and provide a counter-offer instead of pressuring the workers to lower their demands.
SGS Minerals has been contacted by CBC News for a statement regarding the situation.